“Not bad. You’ve given the necessary details for us to understand what the situation around these events is and what we’re dealing with. Jack’s notes don’t really say anything about it, but if at any point you can tell us what kind of abilities she has, I would assume in this case she’s proficient in illusion magic,” I nod, “and then you can either give orders or ask suggestions. In most cases, unless you have a solid foundation to move on, useful suggestions. Often, people will be able to give you ideas and concepts you would not have considered. For example, you might think following the money trail is a good idea. She’s been in this game for years. She will have her tracks covered. Then you ask me and I could say, we follow the source of her magic. Going to the scene and trying to track her back to her home or next place of business. This also doesn’t work well because energy moves around and she escaped on the outside of the building where they worked. So, the energy would be gone, we could assume. Then we move onto another concept like using a scry map to attempt to find a well of magic within the city. If she’s making this much money and lying to this many people, then there must be a big source to her power. Following down leads until we find something.”
I listen. There are some good points here, but none of them are the one I want to try. They’re all grand schemes, and none of them have a foundation. I know what she said was an example, but to follow the paper trail and to follow the magic are exactly the same. Both will lead to either dead ends or a million separate passes.
“I think we’ll keep it simple for now. Let’s go out and speak with the company and find out her last known whereabouts. I think that would be the easiest way to start, and we might just get lucky.” Vicky smiles and agrees.
We grab everything we need from the supply locker and head out.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Mason
“You ever hear about Thoth and the Book of Wisdom?” Ankh asks me. We sit in his workshop. He’s been tinkering and toying with new gadgets since he heard about Victor’s killing of Zeus. Trying to create the perfect weapon to stop a man who’s transcended being whatever a traveler is to the status of a god killer.
A Deicine?
I can’t believe that doesn’t have some weight in this. Up to this point, I haven’t heard of a new possibility in killing a god. So, I came here to Ankh. My most trusted. The only man I believe can help me solve the riddles.
And without even saying anything, he brings up a tale from his age. One that may or may not has a place in this fight. So, I listen.
“I’ve heard of Thoth, but I can’t say I recall the book,” I reply. I’m sitting in a chair on the other end of the room. Ankh hasn’t broken focus from the new toy he’s playing with for a while now. I didn’t want to interrupt. Who knows what may come from all his toying.
“The book was meant to contain all the wisdom of the world. A book, like many of his others, that in the years have gone missing and no one knows how, why, or when. Seen as the god of balance in the Egyptian culture, Thoth wrote down everything. He kept journals, books, and notes that related to everything he did and everything we did. Keeping everything in the Forsaken realm and the Earth journaled for possible future need.” I can’t help but chuckle.
“You know I came up with nothing?” He turns to face me. The seriousness of this moment was not warranting a chuckle from me, it seems. I can tell on his face that these are his thoughts.
“Yes. I know you came up with nothing. Now, since Thoth’s books are gone, we can’t go and ask him for them, but it did lead me to wonder as to where the books have disappeared to. The book of wisdom, the book of spells, the book of the dead. Things get a little complicated here because the humans started believing that Hermes and Thoth were one and the same, attributing the various works that each did as the other’s, too.”
It’s interesting enough. But I can’t help but try to lighten the tension. Ankh has never been this paranoid about something like relating to people. “The very first act of plagiarism?” I tease.
Again, the disapproving stare comes. I understand why Ankh finds this matter more serious than I’m letting on. I do. With the death of Zeus, much changes among the Forsaken. It means that there is another being out there, that isn’t Madison, that can cause great harm to them. In fact, sentencing them to the Darkness or even death. So, I can see why he’s growing increasingly upset with my jokes.
“Thoth has accrued over thirty-six thousand books in his lifespan as an Egyptian god. This goes between six thousand BC until just after. Since then, he’s written more, but those original works had more information in them than what he could ever replace. The problem I face is that the book is missing, and I do believe that if it was found, we could use it for our benefit. Now I have no theories on where it could be but they went missing around the time a few new gods entered the fold. I will speak with them all and see if they have information. I do believe that these are the keys to finding whatever Victor is,” This statement at least gives me the opportunity to add something I found out in my communing.
“He’s not that old from what I could find out. I spoke with – and you might not believe this – Vlad the Impaler.” A look of surprise washes over Ankh. He was not yet born in those years. Thus, finding out that I was the man behind the myth baffles him.
“Interesting,” is all he adds.
“He was the only who gave me information, and I brought enough back to go behind a thousand years. This being said, he’s stayed under the radar for many years, only briefly showing his face around the fourteenth and fifteenth century.”
Ankh strokes his chin and thinks for a moment.
“The book of wisdom was inscribed with the ability to continue learning and evolving, even though there was no one writing. Much like many of Thoth’s books. They would continue to feed information to and from one another. That’s why they could be beneficial. Losing them was also the reason Thoth stopped the process of letting his books learn themselves and now writes the important things down himself. Noting only, as I mentioned, the important things. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“So, if you find that book we might have the answers?”
He shakes his head. “I think I’d have to find a good amount of them, not just the one. The book of wisdom, the first I believe I’d need. Once I’ve gone through eight thousand years’ worth of reading, I can move to the next. This is a slow game now, sadly. There won’t be a quick fix to this problem.”
“Well, try it.” The only thing I can add. “If anything comes up, give me a shout. If not, I’m sure we can find another way around this situation.”
“I do hope so, Mason. I do hope so.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Jack
In every organization, there is a chain of command. In mine, and though I have reached the top in America, it is no different. The original Director, my now friend and boss, calls the shots from the UK, making sure that everyone is in check. He spearheaded the organization into its new generation, after all. So, though I do get a good amount of freedom to do as I please, making sure that the Agency here in America runs smoothly, from time to time he gets involved.
“You remember what happened when this war broke out?” he asks me. We’re sitting in our respective offices, teleconferencing from across the globe.
“I do. Everything came tumbling down. The Agency got exposed. People found out about the supernaturals and so on,” I reply.
“Right. Do you know what it meant for our organization when people found out about the supernatural community? It meant we went from being protectors in the night to being a full-fledged guardian force for them. They put their faith and trust in us.”
“I understand that.” I pour myself a glass of whiskey, and he does the same.
“And when the Forsaken stopped their immense attacks and the shifters dropped ship, too, what did I say?”
“You told me to bring an end to this war, but I have no control over that, though. You can’t put the blame on me. Romulus wants the h
ead of Daffyd, and Daffyd won’t stop until Romulus bows down. It would have been throwing the Agency between a rock and a hard place. Both with sharp teeth.” I try to lighten the tension, but it fails.
“I didn’t mean you have to bring it to its knees. I meant you should try and negotiate the peace between them. It’s not been long, and I understand you’ve been busy on the case relating to the Forsaken that got killed, but you realize that this falls back on you and then me, meaning that the people you were meant to keep safe, can’t feel safe with you at their helm. You need to remedy this. A good deal of the town was brought down by a witch. You have another witch problem in the news, too. A war, two witches, and a god killer…do you see why this is starting to look bad for you?” There’s a lot more. We both know it. He’s got an equally tarnished resume in terms of these occurrences, but we won’t go into those details.
“So, what are you saying then?” I ask, polishing off my drink.
“I’m saying there’s no more waiting time. Victor isn’t around and doesn’t need your full attention. You’ve got a team on the one witch; you don’t need to focus on that. What you need to do is advocate peace between the vampires and the wolves. Insist on it. If they don’t accept, then use force. We are an organization based on power and a strong grasp of bringing the supernaturals to their knees. As head of a sect, you should have the potential to do this. You’ve done it before, and I know you can do it again.” He finishes off his glass in the same fashion I did mine. One big gulp.
“Got it, sir.”
He leans forward and presses a button, disconnecting on his side. I never wanted to be a part of this war but he’s right. It’s getting out of hand now.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Mason
“Claire, thank you for seeing me.”
I have not gotten back to Claire since the whole ordeal with Eustace. Her husband was a coward and a bastard for the crimes he committed against me and her.
“Of course.” A tear runs down the old lady’s face. She knew why I had to do it. She may not have been present to the events that led up to his death, but she must have heard what was happening. Her cottage is small. Sound travels. I don’t know what’s going through her mind, nor will I enter her thoughts. That would be rude in this situation, and she doesn’t deserve to have it so. We must be clear here. This is not a meeting for emotional distress or recovery. This is a business meeting, “What brings you out here, Mason? Need to let a few prisoners free?”
She knows as well as I do that nothing between us has changed. They both knew what it meant when they agreed to take up housing my prison, as their predecessors did before them. Betrayal on this level would only lead to death. It was something that I have always been very clear on.
“No. I’m here to tell you that the secrecy of this prison has been compromised due to Eustace running his mouth in a drunken stupor. I don’t believe that there will be any consequences, but one can never be certain. So, I’m going to need you to ready your things and leave. I have a replacement in line.” Again, she begins crying. I know why this time. I am uprooting her from her life. Her family was created here. Raised and sent off to do as they please. She is letting go of years of memories at a moment’s notice because I am telling her to. The sentimental value alone is enough to tug at the heart strings. If only I cared for such small things.
This was never going to pass down to anyone else but who I put in here. A foolish attachment. I don’t tell her any of this. Instead, I take her hand to offer up a small amount of support, showing her she’s not in this alone. That, and I still have more to ask her.
“With the dramatic wealth you have accumulated, I have an offer for you. One that’s simpler than living alone above a vampire prison. Less dangerous, too. You will be running your very own luxury hotel. The prison was meant to keep us in secrecy; this is meant to shine a light on us. Where the prison was a means for the old ways, this is where I will continue to conduct my business as normal, only with you out of harm’s way, earning a very good wage from both myself and the hotel, leaving a legacy that will span further than just the last years of your life. You have grown accustomed to your ways, and I have in mine, and that’s why this decision is good for both of us. Stepping out of the comfort zone that we have constructed and I would prefer having this in the hands of someone I trust who, through everything she faced, still sat in charge of a prison that could have had her killed without a moment’s notice. I believe you are the one to run my hotel. I want none of the profits. Only an added level of secrecy to my meetings. To my existence. My business will be conducted there. The shell has already been created. A hotel that we will renovate and change bringing it, like our relationship, into the future. Giving us the potential to benefit hugely from one another for the next years onward without pause.”
Claire takes a moment. I don’t think she was expecting me to offer her new work, especially once I told her she has to leave the cottage. This house will turn into a fort now. My plans surrounding it is to make sure that there can be no escapees with the added protection of…
I haven’t quite thought that through. No wolves. Maybe witches. No shifters. Maybe a Forsaken? Who would join my cause?
Witches it will have to be then, for now. Just need to find one driven by greed. They’re a dime a dozen.
“So, what do you say?” I gave Claire ample time to think, even finishing the tea she prepared for me. I have never been a fan of tea, but I wouldn’t rudely reject an offer when I am here to bring her into the next step of my operations.
“Why me?”
“Because I trust you,” I reply.
“I’m an old woman, Mason. Even if you trust me, I’m not sure I’m ready for that world. I’m used to the simple life. The easy life. This is taking me into a new direction that I’ve never considered. I was happy living comfortably with Eustace. This is just ludicrous to even consider.”
“I admire your honesty, Claire, but I would not have come to you with this offer if I didn’t think you were the right person. You won’t even be doing anything really. I have a team behind you that will best make the hotel and the money work. Just say the word, and you can have an extravagant life.”
She falls silent again.
When she looks up at me, I know she’s made up her mind, the spark of childish delight burning deep inside her eyes.
“I’m in.”
I knew she would be. “Good. Then you will be relocated closer to the hotel. You will have a driver to get where you need to go. Say goodbye to the days where you were just another person. From today, you are a celebrity.” I embellish a bit. That doesn’t matter, though. Constructing this last great vision for an old woman means one thing. She will have a good life until her end, and when she dies…?
Nothing will be passed down to anyone but myself. This I have secured with this deal. So, let her live in luxury. It will work out cheaper than having to find another. I wonder for a second if doing this, making her sign rights of her wealth over to me… Then I denounce the thoughts. This was Eustace’s doing.
Yes.
Blame it on him.
Chapter Thirty: Daffyd
I wonder if anyone notices me disappearing into my new office for hours on end without any mention of why. I wonder, but I don’t really know if I care. I find the company of the sector leader, Central Time UTC -06:00, Olivia Lockhart, to be more than enough reason to stray away from the norms I have placed myself in. Giving me a concrete center. Brooke once gave me this. Something to cling to, rather than collapsing into myself but she no longer has this effect on me. She has become a redundancy, another pointless monarch.
I can’t say if this is because of my current infatuation or the growth I’ve done since I took up the old notes. After all, I lost a lot, and now I’m slowly starting to regain the trust I lost in myself.
“So, when are we going to meet up off the net?” Olivia asks me. We’ve been speaking for the past few days through various mediums. We’ve never discus
sed meeting up one on one. And though I have seen her and met her many times before, like a schoolboy crush, I find myself nervous behind the question.
“Soon.” The only reply I can give. “With the war continuing on as it does, I don’t believe that now is the time to show a divided house between myself and the queen.”
She acknowledges it with a shrug.
“But the war is spinning in my favor. Especially with the troops you and the others have given to me. My army’s numbers greatly outweigh the predicted wolf count. We strike them hard now in their lands with all the additional troops, and they won’t stand a chance against us if they try and break out. There are a few other measures in place. A few people who will continually benefit us so long as we don’t stop paying them. I don’t think that should turn out to be too much of an issue either. Within the next few weeks, I believe the war will be over and we will be in control again with Romulus’ head on a pike.”
She snickers at the comment. “You seem to have it all worked out,” she adds, a soft smile accompanying.
“Anyone ever tell you that smile of yours can melt even the coldest heart?” I throw in. The flirtation and banter have been strong with us for the past days, so I know the comment won’t be misconstrued.
“Yes,” she replies.
“Oh…” The answer is upsetting.
“You just did, right there?” she teases.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I get distracted by the door.
“Sir,” Hamish calls out, “I think you should see this.”
“What could that be?” she says in sly confusion.
The Vampire Touch 3: A New Dawn Page 9